MMA News
Max Holloway explains why he won’t be sparring ahead of UFC fight with Calvin Kattar: “Sparring is like an ego trip”
Harry Kettle - December 16, 2020
UFC featherweight contender Max Holloway has explained why he won’t be sparring ahead of his upcoming bout against Calvin Kattar. Holloway is set to return to action next month when he faces off against Kattar in what will be his first non-title fight since UFC 199 in 2016. “Blessed” will be hoping to build his way back up to another Featherweight Championship shot and a trilogy showdown against rival Alexander Volkanovski.
Bellator’s Anthony Johnson and Ryan Bader set to rematch on short-notice at SUG 19
Harry Kettle - December 16, 2020
Bellator stars Anthony Johnson and Ryan Bader are set to meet in a short notice grappling match at Submission Underground 19. Bader will be stepping in on short notice to take on Johnson as a replacement for Fabricio Werdum. The two men have actually met before in a professional MMA bout, and on that occasion back in January 2016, Johnson scored a knockout win inside the first two minutes of the fight.
Dillon Danis reacts after falling victim to drive-by attack from Jake Paul
Drake Riggs - December 16, 2020
Dillon Danis found himself on the receiving end of a little surprise via Jake Paul in the middle of an interview on Tuesday. Drama within this current state of internet celebrity boxing ramped up significantly this week after the recent news of Floyd Mayweather’s return. The reason for that being because the 50-0 all-time legend’s opponent to be is the 25-year old YouTube sensation, Logan Paul.
UFC Rankings Update: Charles Oliveira and Kevin Holland make big jumps
Drake Riggs - December 15, 2020
Among the biggest winners from UFC 256, there arguably weren’t any bigger than Charles Oliveira and Kevin Holland. In the event’s co-main event, Brazil’s Oliveira impressed beyond comprehension with the biggest win of his career. Taking on former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson, Oliveira would completely shut down his adversary en route to a unanimous decision win.
UFC cracking down on fighter travel limitations amid COVID-19
Drake Riggs - December 15, 2020
The UFC has battled valiantly through the 2020 pandemic to continue putting on events. And their efforts haven’t come without casualties as many a fight has been canceled due to the COVID-19 virus. Now the promotion is adding some additional efforts to tackle the Coronavirus with more stringent safety protocols. More specifically, those regarding travel.
Brandon Moreno surprised by judges' scorecards at UFC 256: "I think I lost the fifth round"
Adam Martin - December 15, 2020
UFC flyweight contender Brandon Moreno was surprised by judges’ scorecards at UFC 256, admitting, “I think I lost the fifth round.” Moreno and Figueiredo met in the main event of this past weekend’s UFC 256 pay-per-view card and put on an absolute classic for the fans. The two best flyweights in the world went the full 25 minutes and looked for the finish the whole way through in an absolute war that many are calling the best flyweight fight of all time. At the end of the five rounds, the judges couldn’t declare a winner, scoring the fight a majority draw. A point deduction to Figueiredo for a low blow in the third round proved to cost him the unanimous decision win.
Bellator signs women’s MMA fighter who went viral for knocking out a 500lbs man
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2020
Bellator has made an interesting signing. According to Barstool Sports, Bellator has signed Darina Madzyuk to a multi-fight deal. Although the name may not sound familiar she went viral for knocking out a 529lbs man in Russia earlier this month.
Amanda Nunes responds after Dana White suggests he might have her KO Jake Paul
Adam Martin - December 15, 2020
UFC women’s double champion Amanda Nunes responded after UFC president Dana White suggested he might have her knock out Jake Paul. A YouTuber-turned-boxer, Paul has become one of the most talked-about athletes in combat sports over the last few weeks ever since his highlight-reel KO over Nate Robinson in a boxing match. Athletes from all different sports have called Paul out, but he’s kept his focus on the big guns, releasing a video this week where he called out UFC superstar Conor McGregor and made fun of his partner. White was also asked by the media this week about Paul’s comments towards McGregor, and he confirmed that the fight will never happen.
Stephen Thompson believes UFC views him as a gatekeeper, eyes KO win over Geoff Neal
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2020
Stephen Thompson thinks the UFC views him as a gatekeeper now. For the second-straight fight, Thompson will fight a rising welterweight contender, but this time he will be the main event as he battles Geoff Neal. It is a very intriguing matchup but for “Wonderboy” he knows why the UFC made this fight and that is them wanting to push Neal up the rankings.
Geoff Neal expects to finish Stephen Thompson and earn welterweight title shot
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2020
Geoff Neal didn’t expect Stephen Thompson to accept the fight. After Neal was forced to pull out of his fight against Neil Magny in August, he wasn’t sure if he would get a ranked opponent in his return. However, he was then offered Thompson and was surprised “Wonderboy” accepted it.
Video | Jake Paul ambushes "p*ssy" Dillon Danis in Los Angeles drive-by
Tom Taylor - December 15, 2020
Jake Paul just took his feud with Dillon Danis—and thereby Conor McGregor—to a whole new level by ambushing the Bellator MMA star in Los Angeles. Paul, who became a star on YouTube, recently burst into the combat sports limelight by knocking out former NBA star Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard.
Cristiano Ronaldo: I would rather watch UFC or boxing than football
Adam Martin - December 15, 2020
Global sporting icon Cristiano Ronaldo says that he would rather watch a UFC fight or a boxing bout than watch a football match. Ronaldo, the Portugal native who is one of the greatest footballers in the world, spoke about his love for combat sports ahead of this weekend’s boxing match between Gennadiy Golovkin and Kamil Szeremeta. The Juventus forward spoke on “Parallel Worlds” on DAZN and admitted that although football is his passion in life, he doesn’t enjoy watching it as much as he enjoys watching the UFC or boxing. Check out what Ronaldo said (via ESPN).
UFC Vegas 17 loses fight as positive test for COVID-19 forces Belal Muhammad off card
Adam Martin - December 15, 2020
This Saturday’s UFC Vegas 17 card has lost a fight as welterweight Belal Muhammad announced he has tested positive for COVID-19. Muhammad was set to take on Dhiego Lima at UFC Vegas 17, the final UFC event of the year, in a battle between two welterweights currently riding three-fight win streaks. Muhammad was lined as a big betting favorite by the sportsbooks for this matchup but he will have to wait a bit to fight Lima as the fight has been postponed due to Muhammad’s positive COVID-19 test. The welterweight himself announced the news Tuesday on Twitter.
Jake Paul ducked Yoel Romero fight, claims manager
Tom Taylor - December 15, 2020
MMA manager Malki Kawa claims YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul turned down a fight with one of his star clients, Yoel Romero. Paul has been the talk of the combat sports world after he picked up a brutal knockout victory over former NBA star Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard last month.
Tony Ferguson, Ali Abdelaziz go for the throat in post-UFC 256 war of words
Tom Taylor - December 15, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson and MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz did not hold back in their latest verbal skirmish on social media. Ferguson returned to the cage in the co-main event of UFC 256 last weekend, where he was out-grappled to a decision loss against Charles Oliveira. After the fight concluded, Abdelaziz, who manages lightweight stars like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, decided to kick Ferguson while he was down.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 23 with Stephen Thompson, Geoff Neal, Marlon Vera, Rob Font, Khaos Williams, and Maycee Barber
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2020
The 23rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 17. We’re first joined by one-half of the UFC Vegas 17 main event, Stephen Thompson (3:16). Next, the other fighter in the main event, Geoff Neal (23:26) stops by. UFC bantamweight, Marlon Vera (39:56) comes on. Next, UFC bantamweight, Rob Font (54:15) joins the program. Then, UFC welterweight, Khaos Williams (1:05:58) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC flyweight, Maycee Barber (1:16:06).
Photo | Jorge Masvidal shares photo of Colby Covington giving props to LeBron James on social media
Harry Kettle - December 15, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal has taken a shot at rival Colby Covington’s feud with LeBron James in a recent social media post. Masvidal and Covington, who used to be close friends and training partners, are now expected to square off in early 2021 with the expectation being that the winner will get another crack at divisional champion Kamaru Usman later in the year.
PFL champ Kayla Harrison to fight once more in 2020
Tom Taylor - December 15, 2020
Reigning PFL women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison will compete one more time before she closes the door on the year 2020. Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, steps into the Titan FC cage this Thursday to face Jozette Cotton. The bout takes place from the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami and streams live on UFC Fight Pass.